To Cut a Long Story Short.

"To Cut a Long Story Short" by Paddy Maguire, is a collection of stories and poems that span over ninety years. Launched in Fergie's of Kilmessan on the 16th of May by his nephew Adrian, the book sold out almost on the first day. Paddy was a noted athlete in his day, playing hurling for Kilmessan and a member of the Garristown Athletic Club in the forties. Indeed his father won a Meath senior championship medal in 1907 and his grandchildren play for Kilmessan today. His nephew Adrian, already mentioned, was one of the best national hunt jockeys ever to come out of Ireland. So a sporting family!

But there are other stories here. From the Eucharistic Congress to trips around Kerry in his Renault 4L, to village life and farming. Distances travelled that people need sat-navs for today. If you want a copy you may have to wait. Sold out on the first run! But check around Kilmessan?

Photo: Book Cover.

Open Mic Readings/Knightsbridge.

Paddy Meegan and Michael Farry were the guest readers at the second open mic session at the Knightsbridge Village Hall in Trim Co. Meath. Paddy Meegan read from his book "From The Life Around Me", while Michael Farry read some of his favourite poems and further to that provided everyone with a chapbook containing some of the poems he's had published. One for everyone in the audience as he said himself and not a bad idea.

Paddy Meegan's book contains some of the best traditional verse and prose introductions you will find and is a beautifully crafted book that would look well on any bookshelf, or coffee table. Well worth getting a copy of. Hardback at €25 Euro.

Photos: (1) Ashes and Snow. Chapbook.

(2) From The Life Around Me.

Open Mic Readings/Knightsbridge.

Open Mic Sessions.

The readers for the second open mic sessions by the Boyne Writers at the Knightsbridge Hall are Paddy Meegan from Lobinstown and Michael Farry from Trim.

Paddy Meegan.

A member of what has been described as arguably the greatest Meath team of them all, Paddy Meegan will read from his book "From The Life Around Me". A winner of All Ireland Medals in 1949 and 1954 and also on the 1951 and 52 teams when Meath were runners up to both Mayo and Cavan and men were men.

Michael Farry.

A founder member of The Boyne Writers' Group and winner of numerous awards for his poetry, Michael Farry has a number of interesting websites that are worth a visit. His Blog Site is perhaps one of the best of its kind with regular updates. Edits "Boyne Berries" and came second in both Dromineer and the Goldsmith festivals in 2008.

Open mic sessions are at the Knightsbridge Village Hall on Thursday the 21st of May at 8pm.

Photograph: Dunshaughlin in the rare oul times.